Semester Highlights

Fall 2002 Gets Underway!

Festive Eucharist for a New Academic Year

Not only was the splendid liturgy festive; it was also indigenous.  Guest musicians added their talents.  Rob Strauss, a doctoral student in vocal performance, presented a solo anthem.  Christian Tanzey, an undergrad trumpet performance major accompanied the hymns.  The lectors for the evening were Anna Gensler, graduate physical therapy major, and Dr. Russ Dean, senior associate provost.  Both Gensler and Dean serve on the board of directors of the Lutheran Campus Foundation at WVU.  Assisting at the altar were Matt Losh, undergrad in environmental protection, and Mark Santore, undergrad in music education.  Between the two of them, we had a procession, incense, and sanctus bells.  Even the wine was contributed by a WVU staff member (who shall remain nameless) from his own private home vinted cache.  For dessert, the assembly adjourned to the undercroft for WVU Dairy ice cream and sundae fixings.

The rite for the opening of the school year concluded this thoroughly WVU liturgy.  And so, "we begin this 2002/2003 academic year in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

Lemonade Stand:

Lemonade stand is a great way to meet people, get reacquainted with old friends, and do a good turn for someone.  Sadly, a common exchange at the lemonade stand is:

Q: "Free lemonade?  What's the catch?"
A: "There is no catch.  Here, 'free' means free."

We don't make people apply, nor do we even force them to sign up for anything.  We tell them that the lemonade is free.  Sometimes we add, "...like the grace of God, free and prevenient."  We tell them, "this is our way of welcoming you to WVU."  We tell them, "the propaganda (our brochure) is free too, but you are under no obligation to take it."

Wasn't it Jesus who said something about a glass of cold water?

Yes, this type of thing aids our visibility at WVU, but we are serious about the lemonade being truly "free."  The heat and humidity may coerce people to drink, but we don't.  We simply provide a little refreshment to thirsty travelers (even if the journey is only from classroom to dorm).  How can we,  whose souls panted as the hart and found refreshment, not mirror the sublime reality with a small cup of lemonade.

Don't get us wrong: we enjoy the conversations over the lemonade table.  We've met great people: new faculty and teaching assistants and, of course, the incoming students, the eager and the anxious.  We've met veteran faculty and staff for the first time and discovered common interest and cause.  We've reconnected with old friends and renewed acquaintances.  More than once, we've been asked, "What is a Lutheran?"  Or, "Why are you doing this?"  Or, "When are your services--can anyone come?"

What an exciting time of year!

Or, to borrow from the words of our former presiding bishop,

Indeed, it is "a good time to be the church!"

Students Take Refuge in Chapel

Summit Hall Bomb Scare

In the wee hours of October 30, the students of Summit Apartments were forced to evacuate their high-rise because of a bomb threat.  Santore, a sophomore music major, accompanied by three other students, took refuge in the Lutheran Campus Center.

"We usually think of this place as a spiritual refuge," says Riegel, "but sometimes its a very physical refuge too."  Temperatures in the 30s, a misting rain, and no designated place to go except another residence hall (where there were no spare beds), made the chapel a very attractive alternative.  Fortunately, the beanbag chairs, sofas, spare sleeping bags, and blankets, are always handy.  The real difference, however, is made by the cipherlock (combination lock) on the lower entrance door.  Santore and a few other students, faculty, and staff, are given the combination so that they may access the chapel at odd hours to practice, study, pray and/or relax.  Said Riegel, "Santore had enough common sense to take advantage of the chapel in time of need, and it is good to know that he felt comfortable enough about the nature of this ministry to do that and bring others in need with him."

Wise Library Fire Alarms

The first time had been the previous Thursday night.  Just before mass was scheduled to begin, one of the attendees mentioned that he had just come from the library, having been evacuated for a fire alarm--the sirens of approaching fire trucks could be heard.  By general consent, those gathered for mass postponed the liturgy so that evacuees could come into the chapel for hot drinks,  food, and warmth.

On the Road

Road Trip to Gettysburg

Rachel Gensler, Adam Stump, and Daniel VanVleit, chauffeured by Chaplain Riegel, made the three hour trek to Gettysburg, PA, Nov. 5, where they visited the Lutheran Theological Seminary.  While on the seminary campus, the three attended classes, joined the seminary community for lunch in the refectory, chatted with professors, took advantage of the used book sale, and explored the seminary facilities.  [Pictured at right, (l-r) VanVleit, Stump, and Gensler stand at the chancel of the seminary's Church of the Abiding Presence.]

A tour of the first day action of the Battle of Gettysburg, lead by Riegel (a former NPS seasonal ranger), concluded with a visit to the visitors center museum of the Gettysburg NMP.

The evening was capped by dinner with Nancy Gable and Jim Cobb, co-directors of admissions for the seminary, Pr. Judy Cobb, a local pastor, and Dr. Eric Crump, professor of systematic theology.

You can visit LTSG on the web, but it is a lot more fun in person.  Contact Chaplain Riegel if you are interested.

Road Trip to Pitt

Historic Liturgies of the Fall Term

Fall term 2002 featured two historic liturgies.  Reformation Sunday--always a good time for a taste of the past--was observed with an English translation of Luther's German Mass (1526).  Joined by the choir of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Morgantown, the old Lutheran hymns came alive with Reformation zeal.  Exceptionally rare in modern Lutheran worship, the lessons were chanted using Luther's rules for intoning.

The first Sunday in October, happened to be the eve of the Commemoration of Henry Melchior Muhlenberg.  HMM is considered the patriarch of North American Lutheranism.  Appropriate to the observance, HMM's 1748 liturgy was used.  This liturgy was the first specifically written for Lutherans in America.

Ministry Beyond the Campus

Prison Ministry

WVWC

Supply Ministry